Optical fiber organizer with trays mounted on pivoting support

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to an optical fiber organizer ( 1 ) comprising at least one fiber storage means ( 4, 10, 19 ), a first support ( 3 ) for supporting the storage means, whereby the storage means ( 4, 10, 19 ) are rotatable connected to the first support ( 3 ), a second support ( 2 ) with at least one cable termination retention means for securing an incoming or outgoing cable having at least one optical fiber, characterized by the first support ( 3 ) being rotatably connected to the second support ( 2 ).

This application is a Continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.15/293,462, filed 14 Oct. 2016, which is a National Stage Application ofPCT/EP2012/052405, filed 13 Feb. 2012, which claims benefit of Ser. No.11/154,906.9, filed 17 Feb. 2011 in Europe and which applications areincorporated herein by reference. To the extent appropriate, a claim ofpriority is made to each of the above disclosed applications.

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates to the management of optical fiberconnections and in particular concerns an optical fiber organizer andsplice holder.

A known type of optical fiber organizer is described in PCT applicationWO 97/32231 A1 and in the PCT application WO 2009/106874 A1. The opticalfiber organizer comprises an optical fiber storage means which is fixedto a support. The support comprises a cable termination retention meansfor securing incoming/outgoing cables having at least one optical fiber.The support is fixed to a casing of the optical fiber organizer. Foreach optical fiber storage means, one cable termination retention meansis provided. The optical fiber storage means is rotatably connected tothe support. The cable is guided in an area between the fiber storagemeans and the support.

SUMMARY

The object of the invention is to provide an improved optical fiberorganizer. The object of the invention is achieved by the optical fiberorganizer. The optical fiber organizer has the advantage that theproposed organizer provides a higher flexibility. This advantage isattained by a first support which is rotatably connected to a furtherelement.

An embodiment of the optical fiber organizer has the advantage that thearea between the first support of the fiber storage means and a secondsupport can easily be accessed. This advantage is achieved by rotatablyconnecting the first support to a second support. For this reason, it ispossible to rotate the first support away from the second support. Thus,it is possible to more easily access elements such as the cable,splitters, optical fiber etc. which may be arranged between the firstand the second support.

In one embodiment, the storage means and the first support comprise clipmeans which clip the storage means in an open position relative to anadjacent storage means. For this reason, it is possible to fix theposition of the storage means and, if it is advantageous, to loosen theclip means and to rotate the storage means in a further position.

In a further embodiment the first support comprises a first and a secondsection, which are rotatably connected. Therefore, it is possible to usethe first support in different application, for example for a multifiber circuit structure application or a single fiber circuit structureapplication. It is not necessary to produce different first supports.Furthermore, the application can be changed without having the need touse different first supports. Preferably, there is a second lockingmeans which allows the locking of the first section in an inclinedposition referred to the second section. Furthermore, the first and/orsecond section may be fixed to a second support.

In a further embodiment, the first and the second support comprisesecond clip means which allow clipping the first support in a closedposition relative to the second support. This means that, if it is notnecessary to access the space between the first and the second support,the second clip means fix the first support closely to the secondsupport. This provides a fiber organizer with a small constructed space.If it is necessary to access the space between the first and the secondsupport, the second clip means can be loosened and the first support canbe moved into an open position which means that through the larger spaceavailable between the first and the second support elements such as thecable, the fiber, optical components and/or splitters can easily beaccessed.

In a further embodiment, several storage means are fixed to a firstsupport and/or to a first and second section of the first support.

In a further embodiment, the optical fiber organizer comprises severalfirst supports which are adjacently arranged and which are rotatablyconnected to the second support. As a result, it is possible to accessall sections of the second support for accessing the elements.

In a further embodiment, the storage means is embodied as a plate with aguiding means for an optical fiber and/or a fixing means for a splice ofoptical fibers.

In a further embodiment, the optical fiber organizer comprises two firstsupports with a first and at least one second section, whereby the firstsupports are adjacently arranged and the respective first sections arerotatably connected to the respective second section in oppositedirections.

Depending on the used embodiment, the fiber storing means are arrangedin parallel to the second support or with a predetermined angle.

In a further embodiment, the first support is embodied as a grooveplate, e.g. as a T-groove plate. The T-groove plate allows bending andstraight routing of the fiber.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various embodiments of the present invention will now be described inmore detail by way of example only, with reference to the accompanyingdrawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a part of an optical fiber organizerwith fiber storage means, a first support and a second support and afiber cable;

FIG. 2 shows the optical fiber organizer of FIG. 1 whereby a storagemeans is in an open position;

FIG. 3 shows the optical fiber organizer of FIG. 1 whereby all fiberstorage means are arranged in the open position;

FIG. 4 shows the optical fiber organizer with a first support being inan open position;

FIG. 5 shows a schematic drawing of a first support with two sections;

FIG. 6 shows a further embodiment of an optical fiber organizer with twofirst supports with fiber storage means which are arranged in parallelto the second support;

FIG. 7 is a schematic drawing of the optical fiber organizer of FIG. 6with the first supports being in an open position;

FIG. 8 is a further embodiment of an optical fiber organizer;

FIG. 9 is a further embodiment of an optical fiber organizer;

FIG. 10 is a further embodiment with an optical fiber organizer;

FIG. 11 shows a further embodiment of an optical fiber organizer;

FIG. 12 is a further embodiment of an optical fiber organizer; and

FIG. 13 shows a further embodiment of an optical fiber organizer.

FIG. 14 shows a cross sectional view of a housing of the optical fiberorganizer.

FIG. 1 shows the main parts of the optical fiber organizer 1 with asecond support 2 with a first support 3 and several storage means 4. Thesecond support 2 is embodied as a base plate 8, e.g. as a grooved platewhich comprises first means 5 for receiving, storing and guiding opticalcables and optical fibers. The second support 2 may be part of a housingfor the organizer. The first means 5 may be embodied as walls, openingsor pins. The second support 2 furthermore provides a receiving area 6for receiving a cable 7 which may comprise several optical fibers. Thecable 7 may end in the receiving area 6 or may be guided through thereceiving area 6. The receiving area 6 is disposed in an edge regiondefined by the base plate 8 of the second support 2 and a sidewall 9 ofthe second support 2. The cable 7 may be fixed to the second support 2by cable-fixing elements (not shown).

Above the base plate 8, several storage means 4 which are embodied asorganizer trays 10 are disposed. The organizer trays 10 have a basicshape of a plate and are arranged in parallel to each other and inparallel to the base plate 8. The organizer trays 10 may be constructedidentically. Each organizer tray 10 may comprise fiber guiding means 11and splice fixing means 12. Each of the organizer trays 10 is rotatablyconnected to the first support 3 by hinge means 13. The hinge means 13allows for a rotation of the organizer tray 10 around a predeterminedrotational axis. In this embodiment, the rotational axis is arranged inparallel to the direction of the cable 7 in the receiving area 6 and toa plane of the first support 3.

The first support 3 may be embodied in the shape of a plate which isalso rotatably fixed to the second support 2 by means of a second hingemeans 15. The second hinge means 15 is arranged at a first rim of thefirst support 3 which is dedicated to the base plate 8. At an oppositerim, second clip means 16 are disposed which fix the first support 3 inthe shown closed position. The second clip means 16 comprise a nose anda recess which are arranged on the first support 3 and on the sidewall9. In the shown embodiment, the sidewall 9 has two bars 17, 18. At freeends of the first and second bar 17, 18, a part of the second clip means16 are disposed.

The trays 10 constitute individual optical fiber storage means forstoring lengths of fiber, commonly referred to as “pig tails” forconnecting to other optical fibers or components located on or in theindividual trays. The trays comprise fiber guide elements and holders 12which are designed to hold optical fiber splices. The first support 3comprises a molded structure having a plurality of pairs of mountingmeans in the form of integrally molded protrusions containing aperturesfor receiving hinge pins formed on the respective optical fiber storagetrays 10. The protrusions and the respective hinge pins define a hingeaxis around which the respective trays 10 rotate relative to the firstsupport 3.

The second support 2 has a second sidewall 44 which is arranged inparallel to the first sidewall 9. The second sidewall 44 has a recess 50in an area adjacent to rims of the trays 10.

Each of the trays comprises a slit 52 which is arranged in the middle ofthe tray 10 and in parallel to a moving direction of the trays from anopen to a closed position. Therefore, it is possible to fix the trays 10with one bolt which is screwed in a thread 53 on the bottom of the baseplate 8 (FIG. 3).

FIG. 2 shows the upper organizer tray 10 which is rotated from the closeposition of FIG. 1 into an open position. In the open position, a secondorganizer tray 19 is accessible. This is necessary for mounting thefiber and/or the splices in the second organizer tray 19. There arefirst clip means 20 disposed on the first support 3 and the trays 10, 19for fixing the tray 10 in the closed and/or open position.

The first clip means 20 are constructed for example as a nose and arecess which are configured to fix the trays 10, 19 in the closedposition (FIG. 1) relative to the first support 3 and in the openposition (FIG. 2) relative to the first support 3.

FIG. 3 shows the situation in which all the trays 10, 19 are rotated inthe open position. In this situation, the second hinge means 15 can beseen, which rotatably connect the first support 3 to the second support2.

FIG. 4 shows the situation that the first clip means 20 are loosened andthe first support 3 is rotated in an open position. In the openposition, the first support 3 is arranged vertically to the base plate8. The first support 3 comprises two snap arms 21, 22 at a side which isdedicated to the sidewall 9. The snap arms 21, 22 engage with recesses23, 24 of the first and second bars 17, 18 to fix the first support 3 inthe closed position. The snap arms 21, 22 and the recesses 23, 24constitute the second clip means 16.

Furthermore, a locking means 26 is arranged which locks the firstsupport 3 in the open position. The locking means 26 is embodied as apin which is stuck into the second opening 27 of the base plate 8. Ifthe first support 3 is in the open position as shown in FIG. 4, the area28 between the first support 3 and the second support 2 can easily beaccessed. In the area 28, the optical fiber cable 7 is broken out toseparate the individual mini-tubes, each of which may contain a dozen orso optical fibers that are to be arranged and spliced within the opticalfiber organizer. Thus, it is possible to easily access a cable 7,optical components, splitters or other elements which may be disposed inthe area 28. In the open position of the first support 3, rims of thetrays 10, 11 protrude in the recess 50 of the second sidewall 44.

Due to this new construction, it is possible to provide an optical fiberorganizer with a small constructed size which allows large free accessto the cable 7 and other components which are arranged in the area 28between the first and the second support 2, 3.

As becomes obvious when comparing the situation of FIG. 1 and FIG. 4,the height of the staple of the trays 10, 19 of the optical fiberorganizer 1 in FIG. 4 is higher than in the position of FIG. 1.Furthermore, free space is available for accessing the cable 7 in thearea 28 between the first support 3 and the second support 2 in theposition of the first support of FIG. 4.

In FIGS. 1 to 4, a cover is not shown which is fixed to the base platein order to enclose the optical fiber organizer.

FIG. 5 shows a basic embodiment of the optical fiber organizer with afirst support 3 comprising a first and a second section 31, 32. Thefirst and the second section are connected by third hinge means 33,which allows a rotation of the first section 31 relative to the secondsection 32 as shown in FIG. 5 and as depicted by the arrow. Furthermore,there are second locking means 51 disposed which lock the two sections31, 32 in a straight and/or in an inclined position as shown. Thelocking means 51 may be embodied as a pair of a latch and a recess. Thisbasic idea of using a first support 3 with several sections can beapplied to different types of optical fiber organizers, e.g. the type ofa single fiber circuit structure application, and to the type of a multifibre circuit structure application, as shown in FIG. 5. The maindifference between the single fiber circuit structure organizer and themulti fibre circuit structure organizer is that in the single fibercircuit structure organizer, the storage means are arranged at apredetermined angle relative to the plane of the first support 3. Themulti fiber circuit structure organizer uses storage means 4 which arebasically arranged in parallel to the plane of the first support 3. Forthe multi fiber circuit structure application the first section 31 islocked in the inclined position. For the single fiber circuit structureapplication the first section 31 is locked in the straight position. Thefirst and second section may be embodied identical, especially havefixing means for fixing storage means 4, especially storage trays. Inthe shown embodiment, the first support comprises a third and a fourthsection 34, 35. Each section may be rotatably connected by third hingemeans may be arranged between adjacent sections. The embodiment of theoptical fiber organizer shown in FIGS. 1 to 4 relates to a single fibercircuit structure application.

FIG. 6 shows a schematic drawing of a multi fiber circuit structureapplication, whereby on a second support 2 two first supports 3 aredisposed. Between the two first supports 3, the cable 7 and/or furtherelements are arranged. Each first support 3 comprises several sections31, 32, 34, 35 which are connected to the second support 2. The firstsection 31 of the first support 3 is detachably connected to the secondsupport 2 by first clip means 20. The two first sections 31 of the twoadjacently arranged first supports 3 are disposed at a predeterminedangle of about 45° with regard to the plane of the second support 2. Thetwo first sections 31 of the first supports 3, which are arranged in aninclined manner, cover the area 28 in which the cable 7 and/or otheroptical components is disposed. Instead of the first chip means 20,there might be a second locking means 51 which locks the first sectionin the inclined position as explained referring to FIG. 5 with thirdhinge means 33 and second locking means 51 between two adjacent sectionsof a first support 3. In a further embodiment, two first supports 3 maybe designed as explained referring to FIG. 5.

The storage means 4 are rotatably connected to the first section 31 by ahinge means 13, as explained in FIGS. 1 to 4.

If a free space for accessing the area 28 or the cable 7 is required,the first clip means 20 of the first sections 31 of the two firstsupports 3 are removed and the first sections 31 are rotated away fromthe area 28, as shown in FIG. 7. In this position, it is possible tohave an enlarged free space in order to access the area 28 or the cable7. Furthermore, in the area 28, several elements, e.g. opticalcomponents, splitters etc. may be disposed. If there are second lockingmeans between the first and the second section 31, 32, the first chipmeans 20 is not required.

The first section 31 of each first support 3 is rotatably connected tothe second section 32 of the respective first support 3 by third hingemeans 33.

FIG. 8 shows a further embodiment of a multi optical fiber circuitstructure organizer 1 with a first support 3 with a first, second, thirdand fourth section 31, 32, 34, 35. The second, third and/or the fourthsection 32, 34, 35 are fixed to the second support 2. The first section31 is arranged with a predetermined angle relative to the other sections32, 34, 35 being disposed above the other sections 32, 34, 35. The firstsection 31 covers the area 28 in which the cable 7 or further elements,e.g. splitters, optical components etc., are arranged. The first section31 is rotatably connected to the second support 2 by second clip means16. The storage means 4 which are disposed as trays 10, 19 are rotatablyconnected to the first section 31 by hinge means 13. The first section31 is rotatably connected to the second section 32 by third hinge means33. The first section 31 of the first support 3 may be connected to asidewall 9 of the second support 2 by the second clip means 16. If thearea 28 is to be accessed, the second clip means 16 are loosened and thefirst section 31 can be rotated via the rotational axis of third hingemeans 33 away from the sidewall 9 as depicted by the arrow shown in FIG.8. Thus, it is possible to access the area 28. The first support 3 maybe embodied in the same design as the first support 3 of FIG. 5, wherebyeach section is rotatably connected to one adjacent section and secondlocking means are arranged between two adjacent sections.

FIG. 9 shows a further embodiment of a single fiber circuit structureorganizer 1 with a second support 2 and a first support 3. The firstsupport 3 is made of a first, a second, a third and a fourth section 31,32, 34, 35. At least the fourth section 35 is detachable fixed to thebase plate 8. The first section 31 is connected to the second support 2by a second clip means 16, e.g. to the sidewall 9. In the shownembodiment, each section 31, 32, 34, 35 is rotatably connected to theadjacent section by a third hinge means 33. However, in this embodimentstorage means 4 are also rotatably connected to the first, the secondand the third section 31, 32 and 34. The storage means 4 are embodied astrays 10, 19 which are connected by hinge means (not shown), as shown indetail in FIGS. 1 to 4. For this reason, second locking means 51 arearranged between the first and the second section 31, 32 and between thesecond and the third section 32, 34. The locking means 51 hold thefirst, second and third section 31, 32, 34 in one plane in a stablemanner. If the area between the base plate 8 of the second support 2 andthe first support 3 in which e.g. the cable 7 or further elements aredisposed is to be accessed, the second clip means 16 is removed and thefirst, the second and the third section 31, 32, 34 are rotated aroundthe rotational axis of the third hinge means 33 which is disposedbetween the third and the fourth section 34, 35. Depending on the usedembodiment, the second clip means 16 is not provided. The first support3 is designed as explained referring to FIG. 5.

FIG. 10 shows a combination of a single and a multi optical fibercircuit structure organizers 1 with a first support 3 and a furtherfirst support 43. The further first support 43 comprises a first and asecond section 31, 32, the first and the second section 31, 32 beingfixed to one another and to the second support 2. The second section 32is rotatably connected to the second support 2 by second hinge means 15.Furthermore, the first and/or the second section 31, 32 are connected tothe second support 2 by detachable second clip means 16. If the area 26between the first and the second support 3, 2 is to be accessed, thesecond clip means 16 is released and the first support 3 is rotated inthe direction of the adjacent sidewall 9 of the second support 2, asdepicted by the arrow. Adjacent and in one plane to the first support 3,a further first support 43 is disposed. The further first support 43comprises a T-groove plate 45. Two storage means 4 embodied e.g. astrays 10, 19 are rotatably connected to the T-groove plate 45 by hingemeans. The storage means 4 are arranged in parallel to the plane of thefurther sections 32, 31 of the further first support 43. The T-grooveplate 45 is fixed to the second support 2 by a further clip means 46.Furthermore, the T-grooved plate 45 is rotatably connected to a secondsection 32 of the first support 3 by a third hinge means 33. If the area28 between the T-grooved plate 45 and the base plate 8 of the secondsupport 2 is to be accessed, the further clip means 46 is removed andthe T-groove plate 45 is rotated around the rotational axis of the thirdhinge means 33 in the direction of a second sidewall 4, as depicted bythe arrow.

FIG. 11 shows a further embodiment of an optical fiber organizer 1 witha first support 3 with a first, second, third, fourth, fifth and sixthsection 31, 32, 34, 35, 36, 37. The first and the second section 31, 32are fixed to each other by second locking means 51 and several storagemeans 4 are fixed to the first and second section 31, 32 by hinge means(not shown). The third section 34 is fixed to the second support 2. Thethird, the fourth and the fifth section 34, 35, 36 are fixed to oneanother. The sixth section 37 is rotatably connected to the fifthsection 36 by a third hinge means 33. Furthermore, there are secondlocking means 51 arranged between the fifth and sixth section 36, 37.The sixths section 37 is fixed in the inclined position as shown.Moreover, the second section 32 is rotatably connected to the thirdsection 34 by a third hinge means 33. The sixth section 37 is bent awayfrom the base plate 8 of the second support 2. Storage means 4 arerotatably connected to the sixth section 37 by hinge means 13. Thestorage means 4 of the sixth section 37 are arranged as plate-shapedtrays which are disposed in parallel to the base plate 8. Depending onthe embodiment, the first section 31 and the fifth section 36 may beconnected to the second support 2 by means of second clip means 16.Between the first section 31 and the base plate 8 or between the sixthsection 37 and the base plate 8, the cable or other optical componentssuch as splitters may be disposed. If the area 28 between the firstsection 31 and the base plate 8 or the area 28 between the sixth section37 and the base plate 8 are to be accessed, the respective second clipmeans 16 and/or the second locking means 51 is loosened. The first andthe second section 31, 32 can then be rotated in the direction of thesixth section 37 around the axis disposed by the third hinge means 33.Furthermore, if a person would like to access the area 28 beneath thesixth section 37, the respective second clip means 16 and/or the secondlocking means 51 is loosened and the sixth section 37 is rotated aroundthe rotational axis which is disposed by the third hinge means 33, asdepicted by an arrow in FIG. 11.

FIG. 12 shows a further embodiment of an optical fiber organizer 1 witha first support 3 comprising a first, second, third, fourth, fifth and asixth section 31, 32, 34, 35, 36, 37. The first and the second section31, 32 are connected to the second support 2. The third section 34 isrotatably connected by a third hinge means 33 to the second section 32.The third section 34 is e.g. embodied as a T-groove plate. A part of thethird section 34 is inclined in a direction away from the base plate 8.At the inclined section, storage means 4 are rotatably connected to thethird section 34 by hinge means 13. The third section 34 is connected tothe base plate 8 by second clip means 16. The fourth and fifth section35, 36 are connected to the base plate 8 of the second support 2. Thesixth section 37 is rotatably connected to the fifth section 36 by ahinge means 33. An end part of the sixth section 37 is inclined in adirection away from the base plate 8. At the inclined section, twostorage means 4 are rotatably connected to the sixth section 37 by hingemeans 13. The sixth section 37 is connected to a sidewall 9 of thesecond support 2 by further clip means 46. If the area 28 between thethird section 34 or the sixth section 37 is to be accessed, the secondclip means 16 or the further clip means 46 have to be released. Thethird section 34 can then be rotated around the rotational axis of thethird hinge means 33 in direction of a second sidewall 44 of the secondsupport 2, as it is depicted by an arrow. Furthermore, the sixth section37 can be rotated around the axis of the third hinge means 33 in thedirection of the second sidewall 4, as it is depicted by the arrow. Inthe area 28, the cable 7 or other components, e.g. optical components ofsplitters may be disposed. Depending on the used embodiment each sectionmay be connected with an adjacent section rotatably by a third hingemeans and by a second locking means 51 as explained referring to FIG. 5.

FIG. 13 shows an embodiment with two first sections 3 as explained inFIG. 5. The first sections 31 are detachably fixed by a second clipmeans 16 to the second support 2. At least one of the fourth, third orsecond section 35, 34, 32 is detachable fixed to the second support 2.The second support 2 may be part of a housing. Depending on the useembodiment, one of the first support 3 may be proposed as shown in FIG.9 in a straight position with trays arranged in an inclined mannerrelative to the plane of the second support 2.

FIG. 14 shows a cross-sectional view of a housing for the embodiment ofthe FIGS. 1 to 4 The second support 2 is covered by a cover 55. A bolt54 is guided from the cover 55 via the slits 52 of the trays 10 to thethread 53 fixing the cover 55 to the second support 2. Depending on theused embodiment, there is a guidance 56 from the cover 55 to the thread53, whereby the bolt 54 is arranged in the guidance 56.

1. An optical fiber organizer comprising: at least one fiber storagemeans, a first support for supporting the storage means, whereby thestorage means are rotatably connected to the first support wherein thefirst support being rotatably connected to a further element.
 2. A fiberorganizer of claim 1, wherein the first support comprises severalsections, whereby a first section is connected to a second section as afurther element.
 3. A fiber organizer of claim 1, wherein the furtherelement is a second support.
 4. A fiber organizer of claim 1, whereinthe storage means and the first support comprise clip means which clipthe storage means in an open position relative to an adjacent storagemeans.
 5. A fiber organizer of claim 1, wherein the first section andthe second section of the first support comprise second locking meanswhich lock the first section in an inclined position referred to thesecond section.
 6. A fiber organizer of claim 3, wherein the first andsecond support comprise second clip means which clip the first supportrelative to the second support.
 7. A fiber organizer of claim 6, whereinthe first support can be moved in an open position by loosening thesecond clip means, whereby in an open position an access is provided toan area between the first and second support, whereby elements as forexample the optical fiber, a splitter, an optical component, and/or thecable can be accessed more easily in the area.
 8. A fiber organizer ofclaim 1, wherein the storage means is a tray for an optical fiber and/oran optical splice.
 9. A fiber organizer of claim 8, wherein severaltrays are rotatable connected with the first support.
 10. A fiberorganizer of claim 5, wherein the second section comprises fixing meansfor fixing storage means.
 11. A fiber organizer of claim 2, wherein thesecond section of the first support is fixed to a second support.
 12. Afiber organizer of claim 3, wherein a locking means is provided whichfixes the first support in an open position relative to the secondsupport.
 13. A fiber organizer of claim 11, wherein two first supportswith storage means with at least two sections are arranged, whereby atleast one section of each first support is rotatably connected to asecond section of the respective first support in the same or indifferent directions.
 14. A fiber organizer of claim 13, wherein thefirst support comprises storage means which are arranged in parallel tothe second support and the further first support comprises storage meanswhich are arranged in an inclined manner relative to the plane of thesecond support.
 15. A fiber organizer of claim 9, wherein the trays areprovided with slits through which a bolt is guided.
 16. An optical fiberorganizer assembly comprising: a. a first support comprising a firstsection rotatably connected to a second section with a hinge, the firstsection being rotatable between a straight position and a plurality ofinclined positions with respect to the second section; b. a plurality ofoptical-fiber storage trays rotatably connected to the first sectionwith a plurality of hinges; and c. an area supporting a cable and/orother optical components, the area being in a covered position when thefirst section is in a first inclined position angled toward the area,and the area being in an access position when the first section is in asecond inclined position angled away from the area.
 17. The opticalfiber organizer assembly of claim 16, further comprising: a. anadditional first support comprising a first section rotatably connectedto a second section with a hinge, the first section being rotatablebetween a straight position and a plurality of inclined positions withrespect to the second section; and b. an additional plurality ofoptical-fiber storage trays rotatably connected to the additional firstsection of the second support with a plurality of hinges, the area beingin a covered position when the first section of the additional firstsupport is in a first inclined position angled toward the area, and thearea being in an access position when the first section of theadditional first support is in a second inclined position angled awayfrom the area; wherein, the area is positioned between the first sectionof the first support and the first section of the additional firstsupport.
 18. The optical fiber organizer assembly of claim 16, furthercomprising a lock disposed between the first section and the secondsection, the lock holding the first section in either the straightposition or one of the plurality of inclined positions.
 19. The opticalfiber organizer assembly of claim 16, further comprising a secondsupport connected to the first support, the second support defined alonga plane.
 20. The optical fiber organizer assembly of claim 16, whereinwhen the area is in the covered position, the first section is rotatedtoward the area at an angle of about 45° with respect to the plane ofthe second support.
 21. The optical fiber organizer assembly of claim16, wherein the first section is detachably connected to the secondsupport with a clip.
 22. The optical fiber organizer assembly of claim16, wherein the first support further comprises a third section and afourth section, the second section, the third section and the fourthsection are connected to the second support.
 23. An optical fiberorganizer assembly comprising: a. a first support comprising a firstsection rotatably connected to a second section with a hinge, the firstsection being rotatable between a straight position and an inclinedposition with respect to the second section; b. a plurality ofoptical-fiber storage trays rotatably connected to the first sectionwith a plurality of hinges; and c. a holder for holding the firstsection in at least one of the straight position and the inclinedposition.
 24. The optical fiber organizer of claim 23, furthercomprising a base mounted to at least one of the first and secondsections.
 25. The optical fiber organizer of claim 23, wherein thesecond section comprises a base.
 26. The optical fiber organizer ofclaim 23, further comprising a plurality of first sections or aplurality of second sections.
 27. The optical fiber organizer of claim23, further comprising a plurality of first sections and a plurality ofsecond sections.
 28. The optical fiber organizer of claim 23, furthercomprising a base holding one or more first sections and one or more ofsecond sections.